An Unsinkable Love

chapter 34


After a hectic morning, Elizabeth decreed they were done with preparations. In a firm tone, she ordered her almost-daughter-in-law to bed for a recuperative nap, expressing her intent to do the same.

Bree lay in the big bed, her eyes closed. Memories of Malcolm looming above her in this very same bed caused a tightening and wetness between her thighs. The feel of his warm hands as they caressed her was so vivid her eyes flew wide, half expecting him to be there. But she was alone in the room. The windows were open and a fresh breeze stirred the lace curtains and brought the warble of bird songs to her ears.

She rolled onto her stomach, dragging the pillow that had lain under Malcolm's head to her cheek. She fancied it held a trace of his musky cologne. Her arms slipped around the crisp linen case and she clutched it to her breasts, wishing for a living, breathing, loving Malcolm to clasp. Soon. Her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.



* * * *

A light knock on the door a few hours later roused her and she called out, "Come in."

The young maid giggled with high spirits as she helped Bree bathe, then styled her hair and helped her into the satin gown. "Oh, my lord, Miss Bree. Aren't you a sight!" Hannah gushed.

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"Thank you. You've done a wonderful job." Bree inspected herself critically in the full-length mirror, fearing she wouldn't stand up to the scrutiny of Malcolm and Elizabeth's friends.

Her thick auburn hair was piled high on her head, lending the illusion of height. The gown Elizabeth had designed fit like a glove at the sheer shoulders and sleeves. Shimmering caramel silk draped softly to the floor, trimmed in delicate ivory lace. A novel tassel gathered the gown's hem, exposing an ivory underskirt which allowed Bree to walk easily despite the tight hobble design. For modesty's sake, Bree had added a scrap of lace in the deep V of the plunging neckline. Tucks and folds accented the bodice, with more lace ringing the lower edges of the waist banding. Another tassel weighted the draped silk down until it puddled near her waist in the back and exposed a considerable amount of creamy skin. Tan leather tango shoes with crisscrossed ankle straps and a low, curved heel encased her feet. Pale ivory silk stockings were held with garters below her knees. Three strands of iridescent pearls graced her neck and matching drop earrings nearly brushed her shoulders. Hannah pinned a small spray of pearls into her coiffure.

Bree bit her lip. "I hope they like me."

Bree realized she'd muttered the words out loud when Hannah protested. "Not like you? Not likely, I say. They're going to love you just like Master Malcolm does ... and the rest of us too," she added shyly.

Bree hugged the young woman and sent her on her way with the admonishment to get some rest. Bree knew Elizabeth 224

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had exempted Hannah from work during the party after the maid toiled nearly nonstop the past several days.

Voices drifted in from the open window and she stepped over, hiding behind the drapes and gazing down. Guests already strolled along the graveled paths. Bree swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. What if the DuMonts' friends didn't like her? Would Malcolm decide he'd made a horrible mistake? Their lives were so different. He might tell Melody his fiancée came from wealth and power, but he knew it wasn't true. Instead, he would be saddled with an Irish country girl with a drunkard for a father and not even a pence to her name.

Bree hugged herself, unable to chase away the fear gnawing at her soul. She didn't belong here. It was only a matter of time before Malcolm realized it. She couldn't bear the thought he might look at her with dread and loathing some day. She found herself pacing the room, wracked with images of walking away from the beautiful house, Melody standing on the doorstep next to Malcolm, his arm draped around her.

She jumped as someone rapped on the door. "C-c-come in," she stuttered, half expecting a servant to escort her from the premises.

Elizabeth swept into the room, her face lighting up when she saw Bree in her party dress. "Oh, you're just lovely, dear." She circled Bree, reaching out to twitch a fold of lace into place. "Absolutely lovely!"

Bree sighed deeply. "The gown is beautiful, Elizabeth.

Thank you."

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Elizabeth laughed and patted Bree on the shoulder. "I wasn't talking about the gown, dear. And don't thank me. You did all the work. As a matter of fact, thank you for my gown.

It's a perfect fit."

The older woman pirouetted gracefully, showing off the loose over jacket of lavender velvet, which hung in heavy folds from wide lapels and loose sleeves to a handkerchief hem at knee length. Bree knew the tightly fitted dark purple silk sheath underneath clung to Elizabeth's curves. A jaunty cap with purple dyed marabou feathers sat precariously above one eye. An antique marcasite-and-amethyst setting graced her neck and ears.

"I think it's time for our grand entrance. I saw Malcolm come home about an hour ago and I heard his voice downstairs as I came down the hall. Shall we?"

Elizabeth crooked her elbow and Bree slipped her arm in.

They marched out into the hall and to the top of the stairs.

Bree stumbled to a halt. She gazed down at the sea of color filling the large foyer and spilling into side rooms. The women hadn't made a sound but, as if sensing their presence, faces below turned up to stare.

Bridge blinked and bit her lip, turning in dismay to Elizabeth. The older woman reached up and squeezed her hand. "Steady now, dear. You're the belle of the ball tonight.

They want to see what a lucky man my son is."

Reassured, Bree matched her steps to Elizabeth as they descended the wide, curved staircase. Malcolm appeared, a broad smile lighting his face. He bounded up a few steps and reached to take Bree's hand as they drew near. Elizabeth 226

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relinquished her arm and took a few more steps before she stopped to address her guests.

"Welcome, everyone. It's so lovely to see you all. I'd like to introduce you to this beautiful young woman, Bree Barry, without whom I would not be standing here."

A long, loud round of applause rippled across the room, amid cheers of "Here, here." Malcolm tucked Bree's arm in his, and they followed Elizabeth down the stairs.

Bree smiled and nodded to the blur of faces crowding near, but couldn't help noticing there had been no mention of wedding plans in Elizabeth's introduction.

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An Unsinkable Love

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